VICTORIA LAND 
263 
made and the cairn erected by Wilkes’s officers the year 
before was pointed out by the guides. On the 31st the 
appearance of bad weather caused the ships to depart 
from the open roadstead of Funchal earlier than was 
intended, and make for Tenerife. 
On November 13th, the expedition reached the Cape 
Verde Islands; a week was spent in magnetic observa- 
tions while the ships’ stores of fresh provisions were be- 
ing replenished. Thence they went to St. Paul’s Rocks 
and South Trinidad, landings being made on both these 
isolated rocks. The equator had been crossed on Decem- 
ber 3rd, all due ceremonies being performed on those 
who had never before entered the southern hemisphere, 
and four days later a much more interesting line was 
crossed. This was the magnetic equator, or line of no 
dip, where the freely suspended magnetic needle rested 
perfectly horizontal. Ross had made the excellent rule 
that the result of any important observation made on one 
ship should immediately be signalled to the other, and 
on this occasion he was greatly gratified by the signal of 
“ no magnetic dip ” being hoisted at the same moment by 
both vessels, proving that instruments and observers were 
alike in thorough working order. 
The average naval officer understands something of 
physical observations, but the collection of geological and 
natural history specimens is a mystery to him, and he 
abhors such mysteries, as Mr. McCormick had already 
occasion to find in his efforts to induce the first lieutenant, 
to whom “ everything connected with science is a bore 
and an enigma” to provide a place for his ever grow- 
ing collection. No doubt the lieutenant sheltered him- 
self under the happy saving clause of the Admiralty 
Instructions “ without inconvenience.” The more im- 
